gofer: Black has already lost control of the a2-g8 diagonal and the g file,
so white just needs to control the a1-h8 diagonal and its all over.
The start to that plan is getting rid of the main able defender of
that diagonal, the DSB.

A sharp position in which both kings look vulnerable. White controls both open files, which should count for something, but Black's possible counter-play with Bh4 looks scary. 32.Rxf6 not only eliminates this piece, but also allows White to infiltrate with his Queen.

After 32...Rxf6 33.Qd8, Qg8# is a major threat, and also Black's rooks are hanging in the air. 33...Re8 is impossible due to 34.Qxf6. A little trap is 33...Rg7; the routine 34.Qxf6 now would result in a rude awakening after 34...Rxg3, but instead 34.Rxg7+ is mate in two.

The only other defense I can see is 33...Qe8, but now the white bishops make their presence felt: 34.Bg8+ Kh8 35.Bxe5 and Black's position crumbles. As 35...Rxe5 36.Qxf6# is mate, so the rest seems forced: 35...Qxd8 36.Bxf6+ Rg7 37.Bxg7+ Kxg8 38.Bf6+, and after the dust has settled, White remains a rook up.

The desperate try 32...Bxh3 33.Rxh3 Qg4 can surely be refuted in many ways, a lazy one being 34.Rhxh6+ Kg7 35.Rfg6+.

(also hints that I'm finally going insane. Usually I can post a blind fen without too much bother. That simple one took 3 attempts and had people wondering why I'm shouting at my screen. [I was trying to post a 9 rank diagram.])

Such a shame about Lembit Oll passing away.

Read some other posts.

I see this puzzle has been used on a Monday and a Thursday. So keep this one stored lads it's bound to crop up again on another day of the week.

cimatar: @dfcx in your move order something is flawed... there is a better defense than 35..Qxh3, better is ..Rg6, when suddenly it looks like black escapes with a free piece and a very very slim drawing chances in the offing..'coz now after 36.Bf7+ choices are (1)Kg7 37. Qg8+ Kf6 38.Qf8 trapping the king and threatening the queen, but black can try Rxg3 38.Bxh5+ Kg5 etc...or (2)36..Kh7 37 Rxg6 Qxg6 Bxg6 Kxg6 etc..either way IMO black is still losing with B+R vs Q endgame, but definitely can avoid being mated easily!

Tiggler: I saw all the moves, but was bewildered by the options of which order to play them in, after of course Rxf6. I am glad to see that others think there are alternative move orders that work, but I don't see that anyone has done a comprehensive analysis. Too much for me.

32.Rxf6 Rxf6
33.Qd8 Qe8
34.Bg8+ Kh8
After this move, I thought about 35.Rxe5 but thought that the Bishop will be taken!!!whereas its taking opens the road for the Queen to mate on f6.
I give 85% credit to myself.

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